Independent Living: Perfect for active, mature adults

Retirement Independent Communities are oriented toward an active lifestyle, although "active" is not a criteria. These communities are enriched with numerous choices and opportunities of ways to fill your days. They usually have a minimum age restriction of 55 for at least one of the residents. Sometimes the age minimum is 60 or 62. If it is 62 then all occupants must be at least that age. Check resident restrictions before purchasing.

Active Senior Communities may offer golf, tennis, swimming pools, hiking and biking trails, exercise rooms as well as a variety of clubs and interest groups. They may be located in a resort region or a university town and offer the enriched lifestyle of the resort or the university.

Some age-restricted communities are built on in-fill sites in established cities or close-in suburbs. They attract retirees seeking to reduce their home maintenance chores usually by downsizing, but wanting to stay close to where they have lived for many years. Some cities attract well-heeled retirees seeking the culture and lifestyle characteristic of that city.

Statistics show that at the larger, recreational-oriented communities the average new buyer age is in the early 60's with an annual income above $35,000 per year.

This average age of a retirement community is different from the average age of residents in a well-established retirement community. As a community matures, the average age of residents rises. The average age of new buyers, however, may continue to be in the early 60's.

More than 50% of active adult community buyers continue to purchase their home for cash using a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of a previous home. They also tend to set a portion of the sale proceeds aside for investment, to generate additional income to supplement their annual cash flow or to use for an emergency, should it be needed. Focus groups indicate that on average, 2/3 of the cash from the sale of a home goes into the purchase of a retirement home.

To better understand the costs involved, compare the Community Association fees to your present home costs:

• Home Maintenance and Repair
• Gardening Service
• Landscaping costs including watering
• Pool and spa costs including maintenance and repairs
• Fire and theft insurance
• Country Club membership and privileges
• Golf and tennis fees
• Snow plow, trash, and other local services
• Cable access
• Costs to retrofit or remodel to accommodate aging
• Cost to commute to clubs and activities
• Cost for home security

Nebraska offers seniors many independent living alternatives; therefore, it is important that those individuals interested in exploring retirement housing take the time to understand their personal needs and what different communities offer. It is also critical to review and compare the different services available and whether additional charges are incurred or if monthly rent includes the service.

• Is an independent retirement residence for you?
• Determining what you can afford for monthly rent.
• What to look for when visiting an independent retirement residence.

Following are some questions, worksheet examples and checklists that will hopefully help aid in this important decision-making process.

IS A RETIREMENT RESIDENCE FOR YOU?

Below are a number of considerations to help you determine if a move to an independent retirement community is for you.

Assisted Living

Assisted living offers help with the non-medical aspects of daily activities in an atmosphere of separate, private living units. It can be likened to congregate living for residents less able to function independently in all aspects of daily living.

In addition to providing meals, transportation for medical appointments, activities, and pleasure trips, assisted living may provide:

• Linens and personal laundry service
• Assistance with dressing and bathing
• Reminders regarding medication
• Assistance with eating

Some residences offer services on an "a la carte" basis, creating opportunities for greater control over one's life. Choice availability offers living arrangements with fl exible and shared risk or responsibility. Assisted living should offer opportunities to be as independent as residents are capable of, or willing to be.

This is a life style for those who are cognitively impaired, while physically capable; or those who are mentally capable but have motor or balance diffi culties.

Medicare will not cover costs related to Assisted Living, as it will not cover similar services contracted by you in your own home.

For a congregate facility to offer assistance with aspects of daily living, most states require licensing. Check with your state licensing offi ce to fi nd if assisted living is licensed separately, the agency responsible for licensing and the criteria used.

Some congregate communities contract with licensed outside services to perform assistance, enabling them to offer assisted living services within a congregate setting. Some of these licensed providers are also available for home hire.

A CONSUMER CHECKLIST OF IMPORTANT SERVICES, AMENITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS IN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES

Assessing an Assisted Living residence as you tour the facility:

• As you arrive at the residence, do you like the location and outward appearance of the residence?
• As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the decor attractive and homelike?
• Did you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?
• Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?
• Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy
• Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?
• Do the residents seem to be appropriate house mates for you?
• Are the staff appropriately dressed, personable and out-going?
• Are staff members that you pass during your visit friendly with you?
• Are visitors welcome?
• Is the community well-designed for residential needs?
• Is the residence clean, free of odors & comfortable?

Needs assessment, contracts, costs & finances:

• Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?
• What is the procedure for assessing a potential resident's needs for services and are those needs reassessed periodically?
• Can a resident be discharged for refusing to comply with a care plan?
• When may a contract be terminated and what are refund policies?
• Are there any government, private or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?
• Is a contractual agreement available to include accommodations, personal care, health care and supportive services?
• Are additional services available if the resident's needs change?
• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
• How do you pay for additional services such as nursing care when needed on a temporary basis?
• What are the billing, payment and credit policies?
• May a resident handle their own finances with staff assistance if able or should a family member or outside party be designated to do so?
• What is the policy on insurance and personal property?

Medication/health care:

• What is the residence policy regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff and record keeping?
• Is self-administration of medication allowed?
• Who coordinates visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc., if needed?
• Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orien tation or judgment loss?
• Does a physician or nurse visit the resident regularly to provide medical checkups?
• What is the procedure for responding to a resident's medical emergency?

Features of individual units:

• Are different sizes and types of units available?
• Are units for single and double occupancy available?
• Do residents have their own lockable doors?
• Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the unit?
• Are bathrooms private with handicapped accommodations for wheelchairs and walkers?
• Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their unit and what may they bring?
• Do all units have a telephone and cable TV and how is billing for those services handled?
• Is a kitchen area/unit provided with a refrigerator, sink and cooking element?
• May residents keep food in their units; is smoking permitted?

Social & recreational activities:

• Is there evidence of an organized activity program such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, reading materials, visitors, etc?
• Do residents participate in the neighborhood community?
• Do volunteers, including family members, come into the residence to help with or conduct programs?
• Does the residence require residents to undertake any chores or perform specific activities that benefit all residents?

Food Service:

• Does the residence provide three nutritiously balanced meals a day, seven days a week?
• May a resident request special foods?
• Are there common dining areas?
• Are snacks available?
• May residents eat meals in their units?
• May meals be provided at a time a resident would like or are there set times for meals?

Skilled Nursing

Skilled Nursing Facilities may be freestanding, or part of a seniors community offering any or all of the following:

• Congregate or "Independent Living"
• Assisted Living
• A continuum of care.

Both freestanding and senior multi-level campuses (those which offer different lifestyles and/or levels of care to meet resident's needs) with a nursing facility generally accept residents for long term stays, as well as for short term recovery. Acceptance is based on availability, the nature of care needed, and ability to pay. For instance a nursing home may not accept an Alzheimer's patient, even though they are beyond the stage where an assisted living facility will accept them. There are specific Alzheimer facilities prepared to deal with the nature of care and attention needed.

Looking for a Skilled Nursing Facility?
Make note and compare:

• Is it well maintained inside and out?
• Is the decor pleasing and warm?
• Is the facility free from odors?
• If there are odors, are they handled quickly?
• Do all rooms have private bathrooms?
• Are there electric beds?
• Is the attitude of the nursing staff caring and friendly?
• Are meals nutritious and appealing?
• Is the kitchen clean and orderly?
• Does a registered dietician, or professional service, plan meals?
• Are there individual and group activities and a monthly calendar?
• Are arts and crafts offered?
• Are there special outings?
• Are non-Medicare patients allowed to visit home?
• Do they have an active volunteer visiting program?
• Do they provide in-house physical therapy?
• Is speech and occupational therapy available?
• Are therapists licensed?
• Are religious services, or transportation to churches offered?
• If privately owned, is the owner available?
• If managed by an outside service, how do their other facilities compare?
• What is the reputation in the surrounding community?
• How does the facility treat residents with similar needs?

You might use the following checklist to heighten your awareness of and what to look for as you assess various facilities. If possible, both the family and the older person should be involved in the decision-making process. The more an older person participates in the planning process, the better he or she will be able to adjust to the new environment.